Director Vought's update for A-11 project sees reduced involvement of GAO, as per decisions made by the OMB.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) have been at the centre of a shifting relationship, with the OMB expressing its disapproval of the GAO publicly and in regulations.

As the term of Comptroller General Dodaro, who oversees the GAO, is set to end in December, the debate over the power of the purse and the selection of the next Comptroller General has gained importance. The Comptroller General is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

The OMB's stance against the GAO was reflected in its updates to Circular A-11, a set of guidelines for federal agencies. In the 2024 version, the OMB stated that a legal opinion by a Legislative Branch agency cannot bind the Executive Branch, and instructed agencies to report ADA violations to the President, the Congress, and the Comptroller General if GAO finds an agency has committed an ADA violation.

In the 2025 version, the OMB wrote that GAO is a Legislative Branch Agency that serves as an investigative arm of the Congress. The update also streamlined references to GAO throughout the circular, and advised agencies to coordinate with OMB on any correspondence with GAO to ensure policy consistency. Agencies were also directed to consult their general counsel instead of seeking decisions from GAO on appropriations and budgetary matters.

OMB's director, Russ Vought, made these comments during a speech at the National Conservatism Conference, stating that GAO should not oversee the executive branch. Vought's remarks echoed the OMB's stance, which was further emphasised in the 2025 version of Circular A-11, where the OMB stated that agencies should not seek decisions from GAO on appropriations and budgetary matters, either informally or pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 3529.

Chris Mihm, a former managing director for strategic issues at GAO, expressed concern that OMB's stance against GAO would undermine congressional decision-making and Executive Branch operations. Mihm also stated that cutting back on GAO would hamper the Executive Branch's accountability to the Congress under the Constitution and the Government's accountability to the American people.

Despite the OMB's stance, the GAO's work in fiscal year 2024 yielded $67.5 billion in financial benefits, highlighting the importance of its role in ensuring government accountability. However, the GAO's budget remains in flux, with the House and Senate still needing to come to an agreement to pass a final bill.

The debate over the role of the GAO and the selection of the next Comptroller General continues to be a topic of interest, with implications for government accountability and the balance of power between the Legislative and Executive branches.

Director Vought's update for A-11 project sees reduced involvement of GAO, as per decisions made by the OMB.